Moana Edwardson, Ngai Tamahaua

My name is Moana Tinitia Edwardson (nee Farrar). My mother was born and raised in Te Whakatōhea, my grandparents also, and their ancestors’ before them. Te Whakatōhea, Ngai-Tamahaua, runs through my blood.

I was born in my father’s hometown of Tokoroa and at the age of 2 moved to Orima, 19km east of Te Kaha. I lived here for majority of my childhood, enjoying the freedoms of spending majority of my childhood outdoors – swimming at our local swimming hole, fishing with my dad, diving with my brothers, collecting pinecones for the fire and helping to grow vegetables in my parent’s garden – learning a lot of vital skills a lot of people my age don’t have.

When I was 12 my family moved back to Tokoroa to help further our education and at the age of 17 I moved to Wellington to Study Commerce at Victoria University of Wellington. Three years later I moved to Auckland to further my career and have been here for the past 7 years. I am currently the National Tender Bid Manager for Armourguard Security.

My aspirations for Te Whakatōhea are simple. I want our people to prosper in all area’s of their lives – Mentally, physically, spiritually and financially. I want our families to build better homes for their tamariki. To be better fathers and better mothers.

I am Whakatōhea to me means being unashamedly proud of who you are and what you represent.